The Year in Review- 1979

   It was the year Marlon Brando told us about the horror while Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep showed us the horrors of divorce court. Sigourney Weaver won her first fight with an alien, Rocky won his rematch with Apollo, and Jane Fonda tried to shut down a nuclear power plant. Sally Field stormed the Oscar stage, Steve Martin graduated from stand-up, and Mel Gibson took his first step toward immortality. Here are the ten best films in order for 1979.

1. "Apocalypse Now"(1979)
Frances Ford Coppola closed out the 1970s, with his epic deconstruction of the Vietnam War, perhaps the 20th Century's most divisive conflict. The result was one of the most searing, intense two-and-a-half hours you'll ever spend sitting in front of a screen, that gradually took it's place next to his Godfathers on any respectable list of greatest movies. Martin Sheen is our guide to Cambodia in 1969, Robert Duvall is dynamite as his surf-loving lieutenant, and a bald, bloated Marlon Brando gave the last of his brilliance as the shadowy renegade Col. Kurtz. This is far from a traditional war movie, with Coppola's contemplative approach and existential ambitions ultimately leaving him bottomed out as a filmmaker. His herculean efforts are universally admired and appreciated.

2. "Kramer vs. Kramer"(1979)
With the divorce rate rising over 50%, Hollywood had to start tackling this new reality for fractured families. Writer-director Robert Benton did so with tenderness and touching realism in 1979's Best Picture winner. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep are both tremendously effective and affecting as an estranged couple that wage war over their seven-year old son(Justin Henry), and were rightly rewarded with the Oscars for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Benton's screenplay gives both sides their day in court, while single parenting has never been portrayed more poignantly. "Kramer" was a big box office hit in addition to it's award show success, and is simply one of the decade's defining dramas.

3. "Alien"(1979)
Cinema needed a heroine, and we sure-as-hell got one. Sigourney Weaver made history in Ridley Scott's masterful sci-fi horror magnus opus, that he's spent every year since trying to live up to. There was NO reason to think that Ellen Ripley would outlive Tom Skerritt, Yaphet Kotto and Harry Dean Stanton in the summer of '79. This was the next step in the evolution of blockbuster filmmaking, and few of today's FX-heavy outings can match the sheer artistry on display onboard the Nostromo. The resultant franchise produced one more all-timer(1986's "Aliens"), but the rest of it's offspring only enhanced our affection for the original.

4. "Rocky II"(1979)
Sylvester Stallone famously announced his intention to make a sequel to his already-beloved boxing classic on the night that it upset the '77 Academy Awards. A prophetic statement if there ever was one, and the Italian Stallion himself leveraged his newfound superstardom to launch an uplifting saga that continues on, astonishingly, to this very day. As writer-director, Sly retains the original's quiet charm in his second run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, and his supporting cast(Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith and Carl Weathers) remain excellent. If the last thirty minutes don't get your blood pumping, nothing ever will.

5. "The China Syndrome"(1979)
Jane Fonda was the best actress of the 1970s. This topical triumph cemented that fact(the Three Mile Island accident took place TWELVE days after the release of this film). Fonda is a roving reporter with serious concerns about nuclear contamination, while a bearded Michael Douglas entered our lives as her equally frazzled cameraman. The incomparable Jack Lemmon added another great role to his resume as the plant worker out to expose his corrupt superiors. Writer-director James Bridges crafted a tense, intelligent thriller that should be the envy of any modern showbiz shot-caller.

We like her.

6. "Norma Rae"(1979)
Sally Field steps out of Burt Reynolds' orbit and takes her rightful place in the leading lady pantheon in this absorbing fact-based drama. Who knew Gidget was so good? Her minimum-wage Southern spitfire fights for victims of improper working conditions at a North Carolina textile factory(UNION!). Congratulations if you can't relate to any of that. Martin Ritt had a socially conscious streak and was one of Field's favorite directors. His belief in Sally's abilities set her up for a long and prosperous big screen career. For that, he deserves a posthumous pat on the back.

7. "Being There"(1978)
Enigmatic comic genius Peter Sellers might as well have been from another planet, because subtle, exquisitely-acted comedies like this are practically non-existent. His strange, childlike Chance the gardener, or Chauncey Gardiner, if you're a Washington elite, is easily one of filmdom's classiest swan songs(he died in 1980). Director Hal Ashby is synonymous with the '70s, and here he concluded a hall-of-fame worthy run("Harold and Maude", "The Last Detail", "Coming Home"). Shirley MacLaine wasn't the only one in love. Melvyn Douglas' dying millionaire earned him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

8. "Manhattan"(1979)
Woody Allen's black-and-white love letter to the greatest city in the world, tends to sit right next to "Annie Hall" when the tireless writer-director's forty-plus features are ranked. Diane Keaton wraps up her six-film stint as Woody's movie muse(the dynamic duo would make it seven in 1993's "Manhattan Murder Mystery"), and Meryl Streep makes for more relationship angst as his wayward ex. Allen has always been an acquired taste, and some will squirm while watching him romance a teenage Mariel Hemingway(hey, it's still the '70s). But the man's talent has never been in question, and "Manhattan" helped cement his legacy as one of cinema's singular storytellers.

9. "The Jerk"(1979)
All he needs is this ashtray, the paddleball, and the remote control. If you're under the age of 25, you might not know how big Steve Martin was. The silver-haired stand-up sensation made a seamless transition into headlining studio comedies in '79- a position he would hold until the 2000s. His backwoods bozo Navin Johnson was "born a poor black child", en route to marrying Bernadette Peters and building a fleeting fortune. Director Carl Reiner believed in this wild and crazy guy, and for that we should be forever grateful. "The Jerk" was the 40th highest-grossing film of the decade. Would "Dumb and Dumber" exist without it? I doubt it.

10. "Mad Max"(1979)
Take a good look. This is what the 1980s was going to look like. Mad Mel, 22 years old, WAY before booze and cuckoo Catholicism ravaged his face and his fan-base. Gibson is a movie god, for folks like me, that stopped believing in a real one. The original "Max" is a rough and unpolished Australian indie with amazing car stunts, that grossed $100 million worldwide on a $350,000 budget. That makes it one of the most profitable films EVER made. Medical student-turned-filmmaker George Miller is one of our low-key great directors(he's only helmed eleven movies to date, four of which are "MM"). You can hack through those handcuffs in ten minutes. Your ankle in five...

Honorable Mentions- "Hardcore"(1979) OMG, that's George C. Scott's daughter. "The Warriors"(1979) Walter Hill's gang war was an instant guilty pleasure. "The Champ"(1979) Jon Voight once held the title. "Hanover Street"(1979) Harrison Ford in WWII-era London. "Meatballs"(1979) Bill Murray makes his film debut as a crude camp counselor. "The In-Laws"(1979) Peter Falk was a '70s superstar. "The Main Event"(1979) Ryan O'Neal fights for Barbra Streisand. "Escape from Alcatraz"(1979) Clint Eastwood and Don Siegel's fifth and final collaboration. "Breaking Away"(1979) Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, and Jackie Earl Haley ride their bikes. "...And Justice for All"(1979) Al Pacino shouts in a courtroom. "North Dallas Forty"(1979) Nick Nolte is a worn-out wide receiver. "Time After Time"(1979) Malcolm McDowell falls for Mary Steenburgen in Nicolas Meyer's romantic fantasy. "10"(1979) A braided Bo Derek in a bathing suit. "The Amityville Horror"(1979) James Brolin and Margot Kidder in a haunted house hit. "Starting Over"(1979) Burt Reynolds must choose between Candice Bergen and Jill Clayburgh. "The Rose"(1979) Meet Bette Midler. "The Great Santini"(1979) The great Robert Duvall gets two straight nominations. "All That Jazz"(1979) Roy Scheider shines in Bob Fosse's semi-autobiographical drama. "Tess"(1979) This posh adaptation of the 1891 novel was a return to form for the polarizing Roman Polanski. "Going in Style"(1979) George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg rob a bank in Martin Brest's directorial debut. "Star Trek: The Motion Picture"(1979) The first installment of the LONG-running space saga. "The Electric Horseman"(1979) Jane Fonda and Robert Redford reunite. "Chapter Two"(1979) Marsha Mason made this Neil Simon-scripted romcom.

The Year in Review- 2001

   It was the year Peter Jackson returned from New Zealand and put out the most significant film of the early 21st Century. Mike Myers made DreamWorks an animated powerhouse, a prime Russell Crowe helped Ron Howard win Oscars, and Halle Berry cried while accepting hers. Ridley Scott went to war, Denzel went insane, and Will Smith packed quite a punch. Here are the ten best films in order for 2001.

1. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"(2001)
Every generation needs their own cinematic adventure saga, and Peter Jackson's unrivalled commitment to the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien has arguably earned more film geek gratitude than any motion picture since George Lucas first unleashed his fertile imagination a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. That's quite a compliment for an unassuming fellow like Frodo. The most ambitious production in movie history, the mammoth one-year shoot in New Zealand for all three films, allowed Jackson to retain the same cast and crew as well as maintain a consistent tone throughout. Howard Shore's magnificent score propels this introduction to Middle-earth, which contains a peaceful serenity that sets "Fellowship" slightly apart from the lengthy and bombastic battles that populate the next two installments. That's not to say that there isn't plenty of peril and sword fights on this journey. A new era in fantasy film-making had truly begun.

2. "Shrek"(2001)
DreamWorks enlisted an A-list voice cast comprised of Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz for this surprising summer smash that left Woody and Buzz quaking in their boots after the box office totals came in. This not-so-jolly green ogre became a pop-culture phenomenon and an ubiquitous presence on movie screens, but three sequels, spinoffs and a relentless merchandising machine caused many to forget just how fresh and funny the character was the first time around. Meyers' Scottish accent became instantly iconic while Murphy's motor-mouthed sidekick Donkey is the sole reason he stayed relevant. A pop soundtrack and a complete lack of reverence for Disney classics helped "Shrek" claim the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, as well as a spot among the long, rich pantheon of cartoon greats.

3. "A Beautiful Mind"(2001)
Ron Howard was probably the most underappreciated director in Hollywood despite his ability to produce successful films in nearly every genre with remarkable ease. The industry finally took notice and awarded him the Best Picture/Director combo for telling the story of troubled mathematical genius John Nash in such compelling fashion and for getting another stupendous performance out of Russell Crowe. The Aussie superstar convinces as the arrogant 1950s college professor turned mental patient turned 1994 Nobel Prize winner, while Jennifer Connelly earned the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her moving portrayal of his long-suffering wife. This film has been criticized for taking some significant liberties with Nash's life- did his marriage REALLY survive all those hallucinations about Paul Bettany and Ed Harris? Or did he only hear voices?? It's still a great movie.

4. "Monster's Ball"(2001)
Halle Berry's filmography doesn't exactly read like a list of essential artistic endeavors, but few would argue that the Best Actress Oscar didn't go to it's rightful owner in 2001. She bares all, literally and figuratively, for this bleak drama as a poverty-stricken waitress coping with an obese son and a death-row husband(Sean 'P Diddy' Combs) in the deep South. She finds unlikely friendship and comfort in the form of Billy Bob Thornton's sullen prison guard, a relationship that changes both of their lives. BBT is clearly comfortable back in "Sling Blade" territory, helping Halle create something special, and I'm not just talking about that raw lovemaking session. The late, great Roger Ebert wasn't far off when he named this indie darling the year's best film.

5. "In the Bedroom"(2001)
Speaking of stark dramas, here's another one you might lie awake thinking about. Respected character actor Tom Wilkinson sure made the most of a rare but well-deserved starring role as an aging, anguished father dealing with the shocking murder of his son(Nick Stahl). Sissy Spacek is his equally distraught wife, and she's certainly no stranger to critical acclaim. After their boy pays a heavy price for carrying on with a married woman(Marisa Tomei), revenge may be the only thing than can ease the pain. Director Todd Field displays tremendous skill in his film debut.

6. "Black Hawk Down"(2001)
A reenergized Ridley Scott, hot on the heels of "Gladiator", stages this kinetic and intense reenactment of our harrowing 1993 conflict with Somalia that often gets overshadowed by the longer, more famous battles in the annals of U.S. military history. Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Ewan MacGregor, Tom Sizemore and Sam Shepard were enlisted to help recreate the 15 hour firefight that claimed the lives of 19 American soldiers and over 1,000 Somalis. Scott spares viewers little of the ensuing carnage in a seemingly conscious effort to stretch the celebrated twenty-five minute opening of "Saving Private Ryan" into a breathless two hours and 25 minutes.

7. "Monster's, Inc."(2001)
With Shrek breathing down their necks, that trailblazing bunch over at Pixar couldn't rest on their laurels if they were going to remain the industry standard when it came to animated excellence. The beautiful blue fur of John Goodman's hulking Sully was an impressive counterpunch. "MI" isn't the best Pixar flick, but there's absolutely no shame in falling below "Toy Story". Kids AND adults came away smiling, a goal this studio reaches much more often than not, and Billy Crystal's vocals make one-eyed green monster Mike a most pleasant protagonist. Twelve years later, we would meet up with this delightful duo again in the 2013 prequel "Monster's University".

8. "Ali"(2001)
It was only a matter of time before Muhammad Ali, the undisputable boxing legend/cultural force of nature, was given the Hollywood biopic treatment, and there was really only one A-list actor who could believably embody 'The Greatest'. Enter a bulked-up Will Smith in Academy Award-worthy form. Who knew the former Fresh Prince, part-time rapper and aggressively commercial star of "Independence Day" and "Men In Black" had this sort of transformative acting ability in him? Director Michael Mann covers the most crucial ten year period of Ali's life(1964-74) which contained his conversion to the Nation of Islam and defining battles with Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman AND the federal government over his refusal to be drafted into Vietnam.

9. "Training Day"(2001)
In an uncommonly strong year for male lead performances, Russell Crowe and Will Smith both could have easily taken the Best Actor Oscar without much protest. However, you're looking at the frightening face of 2001's winner. Denzel Washington made a huge departure from his usual heroic roles with his electrifying turn as deranged detective Alonzo Harris in director Antoine Fuqua's gritty urban cop thriller. His show-stopping histrionics is the main reason you stop your late night channel-surfing every time this flick pops up(I can't go to bed until I've heard his 'King Kong' speech). Denzel's endlessly quotable turn made it easy to overlook an equally strong Ethan Hawke as his incorruptible rookie partner.

10. "Ocean's Eleven"(2001)
George Clooney and Brad Pitt cemented their reps as this generation's kings of cool in Steve Soderbergh's breezy remake that improves upon the 1960 Rat Pack caper. These guys make planning a high-stakes heist seem as casual as a trip to the grocery store, and therein lies the appeal of the whole shiny enterprise. Matt Damon gets a rub from two heavyweight heartthrobs, Julia Roberts has a small role and Andy Garcia brings some menace as a Vegas casino boss. This is a fun jaunt through Sin City, too bad Clooney and company were only amusing themselves in two smug sequels.

Honorable Mentions- "The Pledge"(2001) Jack Nicholson is an aging detective in this somber Sean Penn-directed drama. "Hannibal"(2001) Ridley Scott directs Anthony Hopkins in the long-awaited sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs". "61*"(2001) Billy Crystal recreates the homerun race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. "Blow"(2001) Johnny Depp in the rise-and-fall of a cocaine kingpin. "Bridget Jones' Diary"(2001) Did Renee Zellweger give us the best female character of the '00s? "The Mummy Returns"(2001) Roll into summer with The Rock and Brendan Fraser.

"Moulin Rouge!"(2001) Nicole Kidman shined in Baz Luhrmann's lively musical. "Crazy/Beautiful"(2001) Kirsten Dunst drives this May/December teen romance. "Kiss of the Dragon"(2001) Jet Li kicks every ass in sight for 90 minutes. "Dr. Dolittle 2"(2001) This Eddie Murphy sequel made $113 million in the U.S. "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence"(2001) Steven Spielberg channels Stanley Kubrick. "Pearl Harbor"(2001) Michael Bay turns the WWII bombing into a summer spectacle with a "Titanic"-style love triangle. "Jurassic Park III"(2001) Joe Johnston directs this dinosaur threequel. "The Score"(2001) Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando(in his final role) share the screen in this low-key caper. "Baby Boy"(2001) John Singleton gives Tyrese Gibson a movie career. "The Others"(2001) This haunted house hit made it a big year for Nicole Kidman. "The Princess Diaries"(2001) Garry Marshall introduces us to Anne Hathaway. "Legally Blonde"(2001) Reese Witherspoon joins the A-list. "Jeepers Creepers"(2001) Victor Salva joins the horror pantheon.

"American Pie 2"(2001) We all wanted another piece. "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion"(2001) Woody Allen and Helen Hunt in 1940 NY. "Ghost World"(2001) This quirky comedy has a cult following. "Donnie Darko"(2001) So does Jake Gyllenhaal's trippy 1980s teen hero. "Mulholland Drive"(2001) Another surreal mix of beauty and depravity from David Lynch. "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"(2001) Kevin Smith sends his slacker duo on a road trip. "Riding in Cars with Boys"(2001) Drew Barrymore in Penny Marshall's directorial swan song. "Domestic Disturbance"(2001) John Travolta defends his son from Vince Vaughn. "Frailty"(2001) Bill Paxton kills demons in his directorial debut. "The Man Who Wasn't There"(2001) Billy Bob Thornton in a bleak black(-and-white) comedy from the Coen brothers. "Shallow Hal"(2001) The Farrelly brothers put Gwyneth Paltrow in a fat-suit.

"The Royal Tenenbaums"(2001) Wes Anderson's dysfunctional family was played by a big cast. "Spy Game"(2001) Tony Scott recruits Robert Redford and Brad Pitt for the CIA. "Gosford Park"(2001) Critics raved about Robert Altman's ensemble English murder mystery. "Iris"(2001) Kate Winslet and Judi Dench star in this acclaimed biopic of writer Iris Murdock. "The Majestic"(2001) Jim Carrey gets semi-serious in this Capra-esque tale. "I Am Sam"(2001) Sean Penn dazzles as Dakota Fanning's mentally-deficient dad. "Kate & Leopold"(2001) Hugh Jackman and James Mangold give Meg Ryan one last hit. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"(2001) J.K. Rowling's boy wizard begins his box office domination.

The Year in Review- 2000

   It was the year Steve Soderbergh broke through to the top rank of American filmmakers, thanks to the drug business and Julia Roberts. Tom Hanks befriended a volleyball, Russell Crowe unleashed hell and Michelle Pfeiffer nearly drowned in a bathtub. Ed Harris got drunk, De Niro interrogated Ben Stiller, and the X-Men exploded onto the scene. Here are the ten best films in order for 2000.

1. "Traffic"(2000)
Underachieving indie darling Steve Soderbergh finally lived up to the substantial promise of his 1989 breakthrough "Sex, Lies and Videotape", with this absorbing, documentary-style drama about America's largely fruitless and never-ending 'War on Drugs'. It's a war that can never really be won, a controversial stance that probably kept this superior film from claiming the Academy Award for Best Picture(more on that later) despite Soderbergh's well-deserved win in the Best Director category. SS assembled an impressive ensemble cast fronted by Michael Douglas and Best Supporting Actor winner Benicio Del Toro, and skillfully weaves multiple storylines ranging from Washington D.C. to the sun-drenched dangers of the Mexican cartels. Without a doubt, this is one of the strongest films of the 2000s.

2. "Cast Away"(2000)
Six years after their monumental first collaboration known as "Forrest Gump", Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis reunited on a deserted island for another life-affirming drama/box office bonanza. Sometimes, an actor is credited with carrying a particular film, and Hanks' astounding work as frenzied Fed-Ex executive-turned grizzled survivalist Chuck Noland is the ultimate example of that, with all due respect to that terrifying plane crash and his pal Wilson. Hanks literally holds your interest ALL by himself for over an hour, a feat that should have earned him another Best Actor Oscar(more on that a little later), but the Academy must have feared that he was becoming the acting equivalent of the NY Yankees. How many films force you to care deeply for a volleyball? An unquestionable triumph.

3. "Gladiator"(2000)
Was I not entertained? Of course not. Don't get me wrong, I like Ridley Scott's swords-n-sandals epic as much as the next guy, but I'm going against the grain and saying that "Traffic" should have taken Best Picture(let's not make a big thing of it). After rock-solid turns in "L.A. Confidential" and "The Insider", Russell Crowe cemented his leading man status as Maximus, the first larger-than-life movie hero of the new millennium. The Aussie hunk took home the Best Actor Oscar for being manly as hell and I don't think too many of the film's legions of cheering fans disapproved of the decision. For my money, the real standout in Ancient Rome is Joaquin Phoenix, setting the bar really high for 21st Century villainy, as the sniveling and cowardly Commodus, the son of Marcus Aurelius. "Gladiator" remains a great lazy-afternoon destination, historical accuracy be damned.

4. "Erin Brockovich"(2000)
A sexy and confidant Julia Roberts capped off her decade of dominance as the premier leading lady of the 1990s, with a Best Actress Oscar win that instantly made her struggling single mother/legal clerk/environmental activist title character a household name. With the red-hot Steven Soderbergh at the helm, Julia's inappropriate wardrobe choices and brassy demeanor while investigating a small town's contaminated water supply found her at the absolute height of her popularity(she would rejoin us mere mortals in the mid-'00s). Aaron Eckhart and Albert Finney are both fantastic as the wildly dissimilar men in her life.

5. "What Lies Beneath"(2000)
While Tom Hanks was dropping fifty pounds and growing unusual facial hair, Robert Zemeckis stayed busy during his "Cast Away" production break orchestrating a bathtub scene to rival "Psycho" in this high-class thriller. In her last starring role for a long while, Michelle Pfeiffer is terrific as a lonely Vermont housewife dealing with a supernatural presence in her big empty house. Harrison Ford's adulterous professor with a sinister secret was as close as he ever came to playing a villain, and I can't be alone in wishing he had tried it more than once. Bob Z said his goal was to make a 'Hitchcock movie' with contemporary film-making technology and techniques. I'd say he succeeded.

6. "Almost Famous"(2000)
Remember when everyone was so sure that Kate Hudson was destined to become the brightest and best young starlet of the new millennium? Things didn't quite work out that way(to put it mildly) despite her seriously good genes, but that's no reason to knock Cameron Crowe's love letter to the rock 'n' roll scene of the early '70s. Crowe's own experiences as a teenaged roadie-reporter provides the basis for a coming-of-age tale and a vibrant snapshot of this heavily romanticized, free-spirited era in music. Philip Seymour Hoffman shows up to do what Philip Seymour Hoffman does best, and that's improve every movie he's in with only a handful of scenes.

7. "Pollock"(2000)
Ed Harris has long been one of our most undervalued actors and his role as influential artist Jackson Pollock is the clearest illustration of his passion and talent. This low-budget biopic was a labor of love for Harris(who also directed) as he set out to chart the rise of the volatile painter in the 1940s and '50s, when his unique style made him the central figure of the abstract expressionist movement. Harris admirably captures Pollock's polarizing genius as well as the personal demons which led to his early demise in an alcohol-related car crash at age 44. Marcia Gay Harden won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar as his long-suffering wife/creative inspiration.

8. "Requiem for a Dream"(2000)
Forget the D.A.R.E. program. If I were trying to keep kids off drugs, I'd sit them in front of Darren Aronofsky's daring drama that hinted at the director's unflinching future greatness("The Wrestler", "Black Swan"). Easily one of the most disturbing films ever released by a major studio, viewers are spared nothing in the downward spiral of it's pathetic protagonists. Jared Leto seemed to have all the requirements for A-list entry in one of his earliest film roles, Ellen Burstyn is memorably tragic as his lonely, pilled-up mom and Jennifer Connelly has a moment that will linger in your psyche as his wayward girlfriend. Even Marlon Wayans makes a contribution. This is a feel-bad movie, which is just fine when that's clearly the intention.

9. "Meet the Parents"(2000)
Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller may have greedily swelled their bank accounts with an unwarranted "Fockers" franchise, but that doesn't change the fact that their original meeting way back in 2000 resulted in a genuinely funny movie. Hollywood tries these odd couple comedic pairings all the time, and it rarely turns out better than it does here. Stiller perfects his put-upon persona that was unleashed to great effect in "There's Something About Mary" while De Niro's quietly intimidating ex-CIA agent quickly rivaled "Midnight Run" as his finest work in the genre.

10(tie). "X-Men"(2000)
Speaking of franchises, this one doesn't seem to be going anywhere. It's hard to believe there was a time when Hollywood was reluctant to produce a superhero film. We have to credit Bryan Singer for breaking the ice in a post-"Batman & Robin" world and getting the ball rolling on a seven film(so far) series that energized the previously fledging folks at Marvel. Judging by the current summer movie climate, that has to be considered history in the making. Newcomer Hugh Jackson was universally embraced as the razor-clawed, de-facto leader Wolverine and he was joined by Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellan to kick off a fresh round of crowd-pleasing pyrotechnics.

10(tie). "Unbreakable"(2000)
M Night Shyamalan's quiet, contemplative take on superhero mythology was labeled a disappointment at the time of it's November release, yet recent reappraisals have seen it sharing similar stature to his masterpiece "The Sixth Sense". It's easy to beat up on Night these days, and the long takes and somber minimalism he employs here now serves as a melancholy reminder of what might have been. Bruce Willis delivers another one of his solidly subdued non-action roles and Sam Jackson's sinister Mr. Glass was one of the last times he did more than just collect a paycheck. Shyamalan has recently discussed a sequel, which would have to work out better than "The Last Airbender".

Honorable Mentions- "Scream 3"(2000) Wes Craven's threequel kicked off the new millennium. - "Wonder Boys"(2000) Michael Douglas is a befuddled college professor in Curtis Hanson's quirky comedy. "The Beach"(2000) Leonardo DiCaprio is a 21st Century leading man. "28 Days"(2000) Sandra Bullock enters rehab. "American Psycho"(2000) Christian Bale comes to our attention. "Memento"(2000) Chris Nolan comes to our attention. "Mission to Mars"(2000) Brian De Palma sends Gary Sinise and Tim Robbins there. "High Fidelity"(2000) A neurotic John Cusack runs a record store. "Beyond the Mat"(2000) This pro wrestling doc delves into the pained lives of Terry Funk, Jake Roberts, and Mick Foley. "Rules of Engagement"(2000) Tommy Lee Jones defends Samuel L. Jackson. "U-571"(2000) Mathew McConaughey and Harvey Keitel in a WWII submarine thriller. "Mission Impossible II"(2000) Tom Cruise hangs off a cliff and does lots of other cool stuff.

"Small Time Crooks"(2000) is a diverting caper comedy from Woody Allen. "Me, Myself & Irene"(2000) Jim Carrey reunites with the Farrelly brothers. "The Patriot"(2000) Mel Gibson loves historical epics. "The Perfect Storm"(2000) George Clooney sets sail. "Scary Movie"(2000) The original has some laughs. "Hollow Man"(2000) Kevin Bacon plays an invisible villain for Paul Verhoeven. "Space Cowboys"(2000) Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones as over-the-hill astronauts. "Bring It On"(2000) Kirsten Dunst deserves your cheers. "Autumn in New York"(2000) Richard Gere and Winona Ryder have a May/December romance. "Happy Accidents"(2000) Is Marisa Tomei's crazy boyfriend(Vincent D'onofrio) from the future? "Remember the Titans"(2000) Denzel Washington coaches high school football. "The Legend of Baggar Vance"(2000) Will Smith helps Matt Damon with his golf game. "Tigerland"(2000) Joel Schumacher introduces the world to Colin Farrell in this indie Vietnam War drama.

"You Can Count on Me"(2000) You can count on Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo in Kenneth Lonergan's directorial debut. "Chocolat"(2000) Oscar bait with Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp. "Quills"(2000) More Oscar bait with Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet. "The Contender"(2000) Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges both deliver in this political drama. "Coyote Ugly"(2000) The year's preeminent guilty pleasure. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"(2000) Ron Howard directs Jim Carrey in this live-action version of the venerable holiday tale. "Men of Honor"(2000) Cuba Gooding Jr. as the first black U.S. Navy diver. "Bounce"(2000) Ben Affleck loves Gwyneth Paltrow. He can join the club. "Miss Congeniality"(2000) Sandra Bullock goes undercover at a beauty pageant. "Vertical Limit"(2000) Rock climbing with Chris O'Donnell, Bill Paxton, and Scott Glenn. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"(2000) Ang Lee's majestic martial arts epic. "What Women Want"(2000) They still wanted Mel Gibson in 2000. "Thirteen Days"(2000) Kevin Costner and the Cuban Missile Crisis. "The Family Man"(2000) Nic Cage becomes one in Brett Ratner's Christmas confection. "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"(2000) George Clooney clicked with the Coen brothers.

The Year in Review- 2005

   It was the year an unconventional love story took the world by storm while Spielberg delved back into the history books. Batman made a surprising return to our good graces, George Lucas gave us his final word on Star Wars, and Johnny Cash and James Braddock got impressive big screen treatments. Philip Seymour Hoffman was the Best Actor, George Clooney grew a beard and Woody Allen changed the scenery. Here are the ten best films in order for 2005.

1. "Brokeback Mountain"(2005)
Homophobia likely kept the cast and crew of Ang Lee's 'gay cowboy movie' seated throughout much of the 2005 Academy Awards broadcast. That will go down as another blunder on Hollywood's biggest night, because history has already recognized it as the best film of the year. Have you heard anyone singing the praises of "Crash" lately? Me neither. I think it's safe to say that the late Heath Ledger will be granted celluloid immortality due to two wildly dissimilar roles, and his iconic Joker probably wouldn't have happened without his sexually conflicted cowboy Ennis Del Mar. Jake Gyllenhall's bravery shouldn't be overlooked either, and the presence of Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway might make "Brokeback" the most impressive assembly of young actors in the '00s. Straight guys, don't be afraid to saddle up.

2. "Walk the Line"(2005) The musical biopic has to be considered one of the most reliable genres when it comes to turning out quality films(Jamie Foxx had just earned major acclaim for "Ray"). That's not to take anything away from the excellent work done by Joaquin Phoenix and Best Actress winner Reese Witherspoon. I left my house in the winter with little or no interest in the life of Johnny Cash, but Phoenix's brooding charisma had me exiting the theater with a newfound respect for 'The Man in Black'. Reese's sunny Southern charm has never been put to better use as his soothing soul-mate June Carter, and her vocal performance is more than a match for Phoenix. It's safe to say that the "Legally Blonde" star's movie career peaked with this role. Writer-director James Mangold doesn't withhold any of the obligatory 1960s drug-fueled follies, but the melodious memory of rock's greatest couple was otherwise very well-served by this supremely talented trio.

3. "Munich"(2005)
The massacre of 11 Palestinians at the 1972 Summer Olympics and it's mooted aftermath is recalled in Steven Spielberg's smart, handsomely-mounted historical drama. Tony Kershner and Eric Roth's Oscar-nominated screenplay, based on the 1984 George Jonas book "Vengeance", details 'Operation Wrath of God', an Israeli government assassination campaign targeting the 'Black September' terrorist group. Like all true stories, the actual events are mysterious and murky and open to political debate, but the sheer quality of Spielberg's storytelling and present-day parallels are not. Eric Bana, Geoffrey Rush, and pre-Bond Daniel Craig are on the hunt for 11 suspects in an ultimately futile quest for revenge. The result was five Oscar nods, including Best Picture/Director, and a place on many critics' annual top-ten lists.

4. "Batman Begins"(2005)
Bat fans will be forever grateful to Chris Nolan for washing away the memories of those nippled nightmares from the mid-to-late '90s, and presenting this serious and grounded origin story that focused on a young, emotionally scarred Bruce Wayne's journey toward fulfilling his destiny as the crime-fighting legend. Christian Bale proved to be the most committed actor to ever don the cape and cowl and he couldn't have been surrounded by a classier ensemble- Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman proved a rock-solid support system. Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy don't slack in the villain department as we're hurled toward a chaotic climax of fear gas and a runaway elevated train. Gotham's savior was back where he belonged, but little did we know that Nolan was just getting started.

5. "Cinderella Man"(2005)
A crowded summer schedule, Russell Crowe's prickly off-screen persona, and "Million Dollar Baby" probably kept Ron Howard's uplifting period drama from the box office and major awards consideration that it seemed destined for. The movie gods just weren't in Jim Braddock's corner in 2005, but that's fine because film is forever and this is still a damn good one. Howard and his frequent screenwriter Akiva Goldsman("A Beautiful Mind") crafted a pleasingly old-fashioned story that makes it impossible not to root for Crowe's impoverished pugilist as he makes an unlikely run at the Heavyweight Championship in 1930s NY. Rene Zellweger and Paul Giamatti offer stellar support in familiar roles.

6. "Capote"(2005)
Now let's talk about Philip Seymour Hoffman. You know that a Best Actor race was extremely tight when the abovementioned performances of Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix both go home empty-handed, but the prize indeed went to one of the most distinctive actors of this or any other celluloid era. After serving a lengthy apprenticeship as a standout supporting player, Hoffman made the most of his close-up as renowned openly gay writer Truman Capote. The film focuses on Capote's fascination with the accused killer in a 1959 massacre in rural Texas that inspires his final completed literary work, "In Cold Blood". PSH absolutely nails Capote's odd speech and mannerisms, making this a modern acting showcase that's second to none.

7. "Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith"(2005)
The fourth best SW movie is a lot closer to what the franchise's legions of hardcore fans had in mind when George Lucas first told us that he would be telling the tragic tale of a young Anakin Skywalker. The likes of Jake Lloyd and Jar Jar Binks had many fantasy film buffs switching their allegiance to Peter Jackson, but Lucas did all he could to try and set the universe back as we remember it in the action-packed conclusion to his divisive prequel trilogy. I was fairly satisfied with the Jedi slaughter caused by Hayden Christensen, en route to a 20-plus year reign of intergalactic tyranny alongside Ian McDiarmid's Evil Emperor. The closing moments tie nicely with Episode IV to bring(most) of George's notoriously nitpicky fan-base back from the dark side.

8. "Syriana"(2005)
A bearded George Clooney went through hell for Hezbollah in this topical "Traffic"-style drama from that film's Oscar-winning writer-turned-director Stephen Gaghan. Was the Middle Eastern quagmire really just an elaborate victory for Big Oil? This sobering, complex story, based on Robert Baer's 2003 book, may require multiple viewings to get a firm grasp on all the shady goings-on at home and abroad. Best Supporting Actor Clooney's grizzled CIA agent makes it time well spent. His frequent collaborator, the politically-minded Matt Damon does his part to make the material accessible as an energy analyst uncomfortably stuck in the tangled web. Jeffrey Wright is a Washington-based lawyer dealing with a dubious merger.

9. "Match Point"(2005)
Just when you thought that Woody Allen was resigned to repeating the same jokes and plotlines for the rest of his professional life, he turned his camera to London and on a scorching Scarlet Johannsson for an upper-crust love triangle, and one of the year's most pleasant surprises(translation- this is NOT a comedy) . Jonathan Rys Meyers plays a retired tennis pro torn between the cushy lifestyle provided by the affluent family of his dull new bride(Emily Mortimer) and his insatiable lust for the smoky-voiced temptress pictured above. I urge all Allen haters to put the magnificent "Match Point" on their watch-lists, they can thank me later.

10(tie)."The New World"(2005)
The movie-going public was very reluctant to give Colin Farrell another chance in a historical drama only one year after the disastrous "Alexander". That's a shame because nearly everyone missed out on the visual poetry that Terence Malick brought to the romance between John Smith and Pocohantas. Farrell hasn't had a better film to call his own thanks to the famously philosophical director's dreamy love of the outdoors and the unconventional beauty of newcomer Q'orianka Filcher. Christian Bale's sensitive settler arrives late in the story to compete for her silent affections and evoke memories of Malick's thematically similar "Days of Heaven".

10(tie)."The 40 Year Old Virgin"(2005)
Losing your virginity is no laughing matter. As someone that held onto mine longer than I'd care to admit, I can say that with absolute certainty, but director Judd Apatow and his star/co-writer Steve Carell find loads of humor and heart in this often-painful waiting game. Carell quietly emerged as a major talent in the mid-'00s("The Office" premiered the same year), while Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd would soon find their names above the title too(but no such luck for Romany Malco). The chest-waxing scene instantly entered the realm of classic comedy, and I'd gladly go sexless if Catherine Keener was the light at the end of the tunnel. Welcome to the Judd Apatow era.

Honorable Mentions- "Coach Carter"(2005) Sam Jackson applies his hard-ass approach to high school basketball. "Hitch"(2005) Will Smith as a cocky love doctor. "Because of Winn-Dixie"(2005) AnnaSophia Robb is adorable in her film debut. "Robots"(2005) This self-explanatory animated hit has the voices of Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, and Robin Williams. "Sin City"(2005) Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez direct a big cast in this comic book come to life. "The Interpreter"(2005) Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn in Sydney Pollack's swan song. "Madagascar"(2005) Chris Rock and Ben Stiller build the DreamWorks animated empire. "Crash"(2005) Paul Haggis' heavy-handed Best Picture winner explores racism in L.A. "The Upside of Anger"(2005) The upside is Joan Allen and Kevin Costner.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith"(2005) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie unite. "War of the Worlds"(2005) Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg stage an alien invasion. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"(2005) Tim Burton enlists Johnny Depp(who else?) to update the kooky candyman. "Fastastic Four"(2005) This Marvel quartet gave us Chris Evans. "Wedding Crashers"(2005) Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson were a winning team. "The Island"(2005) More summer fun from Michael Bay. "Dark Water"(2005) Jennifer Connelly gets wet. "Must Love Dogs"(2005) Must love Diane Lane. "Red Eye"(2005) Rachel McAdams vs. Cillian Murphy. "Proof"(2005) Gwyneth Paltrow has problems.

"Serenity"(2005) Joss Whedon was a genre wiz. "In Her Shoes"(2005) Sibling rivalry with Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette. "The Constant Gardner"(2005) Best Supporting Actress winner Rachel Weisz is the adventurous wife of Ralph Fiennes' British diplomat. "Prime"(2005) Uma Thurman dates Meryl Streep's son. "Broken Flowers"(2005) A downbeat Bill Murray visits his former flames. "Dreamer"(2005) Kurt Russell buys Dakota Fanning a racehorse. "Flightplan"(2005) Jodie Foster's daughter disappears. "The Greatest Game Ever Played"(2005) Shia LaBeouf wins the 1913 U.S. Open. "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"(2005) Demonic possession with Laura Linney and Tom Wilkenson. "The Legend of Zorro"(2005) This sequel reunites Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and director Martin Campbell. "The Squid and the Whale"(2005) A bearded Jeff Daniels gives Noah Baumbach his best reviews.

"Corpse Bride"(2005) Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's animated romance. "A History of Violence"(2005) Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg create a cult hit. "Two for the Money"(2005) Al Pacino mentors Matthew McConaughey. "Shopgirl"(2005) Steve Martin is a smart, sensitive man. "The Weather Man"(2005) was played by Nick Cage. "North Country"(2005) Charlize Theron gets sexually harassed in the workplace. "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio"(2005) The winner of the movie is Julianne Moore. "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit"(2005) This stop-motion charmer from DreamWorks took the Best Animated Oscar. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"(2005) The fourth installment of the blockbuster saga. "Good Night, and Good Luck"(2005) George Clooney directs this black-and-white drama about the early days of television broadcast journalism. "King Kong"(2005) Peter Jackson's overlong, occasionally exciting remake of the 1933 classic. "The World's Fastest Indian"(2005) Anthony Hopkins is off to the races. "The Matador"(2005) Pierce Brosnan is at his post-Bond best.